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COMPETITION: Name the dog using our social media pages for the chance to be our winner; the best six suggestions will be put to a public poll with the official winning name inscribed for all-time on the Inverness riverside sculpture placed in protest by fishermen near Highland Council’s Gathering Place 'artwork'


By Alasdair Fraser

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Inverness Angling Club with the new art installation. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Inverness Angling Club with the new art installation. Picture: James Mackenzie.

He or she could yet become the Highlands’ answer to Greyfriars Bobby.

The chainsawed Labrador dog sculpture placed in protest by the controversial Gathering Place “artwork” in Inverness has already proven a big hit with locals and tourists.

Some have been stopping by to gently rub the wee doggie’s nose for good luck, as is the tradition with Edinburgh’s famous little Skye Terrier statue.

It was installed by Inverness Angling Club to “brighten up” what they now see as an eyesore site, ruined by a concrete edifice out of character with their traditional River Ness fishing beat.

So far, though, the larch carved hound staring faithfully across the River Ness has remained nameless.

That is about to change.

The dog carving in front of The Little Isle fishing shed. Picture: James Mackenzie.
The dog carving in front of The Little Isle fishing shed. Picture: James Mackenzie.

In partnership with the Inverness Courier, the fishermen have decided to throw it open to the Highland public to come up with a name.

Anyone wishing to suggest one should offer a name below the story on the Courier’s own Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.

The six best entries will then be put to a public poll on our website and social media to determine which entry is successful.

This is a rare chance for somebody to name an Inverness landmark for all-time.

Mixing the cement for the base. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Mixing the cement for the base. Picture: James Mackenzie.

Steve Watt, vice-president of Inverness Angling Club, said: “We already have such a lot of support for what we have already said is the nicest possible protest against the Gathering Place.

“We felt we wanted to place something nice to look at, that people could relate to, and show Highland Council what real art is.

“We haven’t yet come up with a name. One idea was ‘Justice’, but we’re open to suggestions. We’d love the local public to get involved and put forward suggestions for the winning name.

“We don’t know what the council are going to do and whether they are going to seek to remove our dog.

The Gathering Place locator 20 April 2022. Picture: James Mackenzie.
The Gathering Place locator 20 April 2022. Picture: James Mackenzie.

“We’ve had so many lovely comments about the sculpture, with people getting right behind us, that I feel there will be uproar if they try to take it away.”

The new art installation in front of The Gathering Place. Picture: James Mackenzie.
The new art installation in front of The Gathering Place. Picture: James Mackenzie.

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It follows us breaking the news about the sculpture last week.


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